After the success of Denis Villeneuve’s new Dune adaptation, many players longed for a new video game set in the universe of the Fremen and sandworms. Dune: Spice Wars is the answer to their call.
New game in Herbert’s universe
Dune: Spice Wars is such a cordially welcomed project because Frank Herbert’s sci-fi masterpiece has a unique place in the history of video games. Its first two adaptations were released in 1992. Cryo’s Dune was an exceptional non-linear adventure game with strategy elements. On the other hand, Westwood’s Dune II: Battle for Arrakis is considered the grandfather of the entire RTS genre. Dune 2000 (1998) and Emperor: Battle for Dune (2001) also have a warm place in players’ hearts.
The only flaw was Frank Herbert’s Dune, an underdeveloped action-adventure game released in 2001. As you can see, for over two decades, players have been waiting for a chance to return to Arrakkis, and the movie starring Zendaya and Timothee Chalamet has only intensified this desire.
Finally, in December 2021, at The Game Awards, Shiro Games revealed that the new strategy game set in the universe created by Frank Herbert was under development and would be published by Funcom. This way, players have to learn about Dune: Spice Wars.
The release date
Fans didn’t have to wait long for a chance to play the new game, as Dune: Spice Wars was released in early access on April 26, 2022. The full version should become available on PC in 2023, yet the exact date of the premiere hasn’t been announced yet. There is no information about the Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation versions of the game.
Gameplay
Dune: Spice Wars is a 4X strategy, which means that the central goal is to build and secure your empire. The key to achieving this long-term purpose is controlling the spice, the most desired resource in the galaxy that enables interstellar travel. However, the combat prowess of your army is just one element necessary to achieve victory. Diplomacy is equally crucial, as political intrigues, sabotage, and spies can strike your adversaries more gravely than a cannonade. Furthermore, your military victories can backfire in Landsraad.
Enemy factions are not the only danger lurking on Arrakis, as the planet itself can be deadly. For instance, giant sandworms can emerge from the dunes and swallow your troops and vehicles. The maps are generated procedurally; hence, each mission will have some unique elements. As you can see, you have to act carefully but also quickly and firmly, as Dune: Spice Wars offers real-time gameplay. However, owing to its larger scale and 4X elements, the game isn’t as fast-paced as most dynamic real-time strategies.
Game modes
Shiro Games promises that a single-player campaign and multiplayer modes, which are lacking from the early access version, will be vital parts of Dune: Spice Wars. Consequently, players will have a chance to experience a narrative adventure on Arrakis as well as test their skills against other players.
Playable factions
The previous strategy games based on Dune featured three playable factions. There were, obviously, Atreides and Harkonnens, the archrivals well-known from the novels and their adaptations. However, the developers also added the non-canon House Ordos to diversify the gameplay. Dune: Spice Wars tries to stay as faithful to the novels as possible. Hence, Ordos will not return this time.
The game will offer five playable and diverse factions fighting for control over Arrakis and the priceless spice.
- House Atreides,
- House Harkonnen,
- The Smugglers,
- House Corrino,
- The Fremen.
Each side of the conflict has its own unique abilities and bonuses. You’ll also meet iconic Dune characters, including malevolent baron Vladimir Harkonnen, noble duke Leto Atreides, and the Arrakis planetologist Liet Kynes. Dune fans will also enjoy the sight of well-known vehicles such as harvesters that gather spice and ornithopters that fly over the surface of Arrakis and let you find resources.
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